France is the world's most visited country — and this classic itinerary shows you why. Three days in Paris for the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, and the city's extraordinary food scene; a day trip to the Loire Valley's fairy-tale châteaux; then south by TGV to Provence for lavender fields, Roman ruins, and the sun-drenched villages of the Luberon. Seven days, three of France's greatest regions.
Days 1–3: Paris
Arrive at Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and take the RER B to central Paris (35 minutes, €11.80). Day 1: the essential Paris — walk from the Louvre (book timed entry in advance; allow 3 hours minimum) along the Tuileries Garden to the Place de la Concorde and up the Champs-Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe. Evening: dinner in the Marais — try a classic French bistro on the Rue de Bretagne. Day 2: the Left Bank — the Musée d'Orsay (Impressionist masterpieces; book in advance), the Eiffel Tower (book the summit in advance; go at dusk for the best light), and a walk through Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Lunch at a brasserie on the Boulevard Saint-Germain. Evening: the Île de la Cité — Notre-Dame Cathedral (currently being restored after the 2019 fire; the exterior is still magnificent) and dinner on the Île Saint-Louis. Day 3: Montmartre and the Sacré-Cœur in the morning (go early to beat the crowds); the Centre Pompidou in the afternoon (extraordinary modern art collection and rooftop views). Evening: explore the Canal Saint-Martin neighbourhood — one of Paris's most authentic and least touristy areas, with excellent restaurants and wine bars.
Day 4: Loire Valley Day Trip
Take an early TGV from Paris Montparnasse to Tours (1 hour, from €20). Hire a car at Tours station for the day (or join a guided tour from Paris). The Loire Valley has the world's greatest concentration of Renaissance châteaux — you can comfortably visit two or three in a day. Château de Chambord is the most spectacular: a vast Renaissance hunting lodge with a famous double-helix staircase attributed to Leonardo da Vinci. Château de Chenonceau spans the River Cher on elegant arches — the most photographed château in France. Château d'Amboise is smaller but has the tomb of Leonardo da Vinci in the chapel. Return to Tours for the evening train back to Paris, or stay overnight in Tours or Amboise for a more relaxed pace.
Day 5: Paris to Avignon by TGV
Take the TGV from Paris Gare de Lyon to Avignon TGV (2 hours 40 minutes, from €35). Avignon is the gateway to Provence and one of France's most beautiful medieval cities. The Palais des Papes (Palace of the Popes) is the largest Gothic palace in the world — the popes lived here during the Avignon Papacy (1309–1377). The Pont d'Avignon (Pont Saint-Bénézet) — the famous bridge of the nursery rhyme — extends into the Rhône. Walk the ramparts for views over the city. Afternoon: cross the Rhône to Villeneuve-lès-Avignon for a quieter perspective on the city. Evening: Avignon has an excellent restaurant scene — try a Provençal restaurant in the old town for tapenade, ratatouille, and daube de boeuf.
Day 6: Provence — Les Baux & the Luberon
Hire a car in Avignon for the day. Drive south to Les Baux-de-Provence — a dramatic medieval village perched on a rocky outcrop with extraordinary views over the Alpilles. The ruined castle is one of the most atmospheric sites in France. The Carrières de Lumières nearby projects immersive art shows onto the walls of a former quarry — spectacular. Drive east into the Luberon — the region immortalised by Peter Mayle's "A Year in Provence". The hilltop villages of Gordes (the most beautiful village in France, many argue), Roussillon (with its extraordinary ochre cliffs), and Bonnieux are all within 30 minutes of each other. Lunch in Gordes. Return to Avignon in the evening. If it's June or July, detour north to the Valensole Plateau for the lavender fields — one of the great visual experiences of France.
Day 7: Arles & Departure
Morning: drive 35 minutes south to Arles — the city that inspired Van Gogh (he painted over 300 works here). The Roman amphitheatre (still used for bullfights and concerts) and the Roman theatre are remarkably well preserved. The Fondation Vincent van Gogh has excellent temporary exhibitions. The old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lunch at a café on the Place du Forum — the same square Van Gogh painted in "Café Terrace at Night". Afternoon: drive to Marseille-Provence Airport (MRS, 1 hour) for your departure flight, or return to Avignon TGV for a train back to Paris (2 hours 40 minutes) and fly from CDG.
